The Pitcher
Your Mission: Create one pitcher using two hand building techniques. Your pitcher should include a handle and a spout. Your pitcher must have a surface decorative element incised or carved onto it.
Vocabulary: bisque, clay, green ware, joining, kiln, modeling, pinch, coil, slab, score, slip, stick, pulling a handle, wedging
Materials: Clay, different tools for texture and scoring and slip, bucket of water, rolling pin or slab roller
Steps: Phase 1 - Planning - Research multiple designs for pitchers, including shapes from other artists
- Brainstorm & Draw
- 5-6 well developed drawings exploring shape and proportion
- 3 designs for various handle shapes
- 2 designs for added spouts
- 3-4 samples of added texture, pattern, embellishments (incise or add or both)
- Demonstration: Creating a mock up
- Create a mock up of the structure using the intended construction plans
Dimensions & Requirements:
- 8+ inches
- 2+ hand built techniques; coil, pinch, slab
- 1 pulled handle & added spout
- surface decoration: incised with deep texture
Phase 2 - Construction - Get clay
- Wedge clay
- Begin with the bottom of the pitcher
- Using the technique you have chosen create the bottom and walls of the pitcher
Remember: • Clay must remains moist during construction • Walls must be even • Seams are smooth and invisible where necessary • Base is stable and flat • Structure stays together in “bone” dry state • All crumbs and bumps are removed
- Review: Pulling a handle
- Pull a handle (bucket of water, clay in cone shape, pulling down with even pressure)
- Attach the handle – across from seam
- Demonstration: Shaping and attaching a spout
- Shape and add a spout
- Shape spout in one of 3 spout shapes (pictured on right)
- Place on pitcher to see if shape fits as desired
- Slip and score spout across from handle
Cut out any excess clay that is in the way of the spout - Incise your surface decoration into the pitcher
- Plan out your design along the pitcher
- Lightly sketch in your design
- Using an incising tool or loop tool carve out deep groves along your planned sketch
- You may also attach clay onto your pitcher for decoration.
- Remember to slip, score and stick the clay on and weld it onto place so that it stays on during the drying stages and firing.
- Make sure your name and date are on the bottom
- Place the finished pitcher in the kiln room to dry out for firing.
CERAMICS II - CRITERIA FOR PITCHER
Communication and Expression - Research multiple designs for pitchers, including shapes from other artists
- 5-6 well developed drawings exploring shape and proportion
- 3 designs for various handle shapes
- 2 designs for added spouts
- 3-4 samples of added texture, pattern, embellishments
Design and Composition 1. Mock up of structure using intended construction plan 2. Physical -8+ inches -2+ hand built techniques; coil, pinch, slab -1 pulled handle & added spout -Surface decoration: incised with deep texture 3. 2 or more hand built techniques 4. Handle & spout complement form 5. Surface decoration enhances artistic richness of vessel
Methods, Tools, and Techniques - Proper use of all clay tools
- Clay remains moist during construction
- Craftsmanship
-Walls are even -Seams are smooth and invisible where necessary -Base is stable and flat -Structure stays together in “bone” dry state -All crumbs and bumps are removed -Name/logo on bottom of structure
Critique and Reflection - Contributes to all group critiques in thoughtful manner
- Complete all written work and assessments
Professionalism - Stays focused and on task
- Completes all work
- Adheres to deadlines
- Care & respect for all clay materials
5. Appropriate behavior in Ceramic’s room
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